Cylindrical Board Game Components and Game Methods of Play

ABSTRACT

A challenging set of two-player (or multi-player) games of skill with increased levels of difficulty that greatly enhance the players&#39; abilities to visualize in 3-D. The games can also be developed to be played electronically and on-line. The basic objective of the game components of the present invention is to adapt 2-D board game surfaces into 3-D cylindrical configurations. By bending a 2-D board game into 3-D and connecting it back onto itself, additional skills associated with 3-D visualization are required of the players. A variety of traditional 2-D board games are translated into 3-D cylindrical board game structures and methods. In its basic form, the game method of play involves two players alternately placing game pieces into apertures on the cylindrical game board. Although most of the games associated with the objective of the present invention are two-player games, a variety of multi-player games are also possible.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/093,273; Filed: Oct. 18, 2020, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to games and educational tools. The present invention relates more specifically to game components and two-player game methods of play that facilitate three-dimensional recognition skills.

2. Description of the Related Art

The ability to visualize in a 3-D environment is an essential skill for communication through graphics. It has been defined as “the ability to mentally imagine, understand, rotate, and manipulate 3-D geometric objects”. Spatial skills are very important for a large variety of careers. There are at least 84 career areas for which spatial skills are considered important. Studies have also shown that spatial visualization skills are a strong predictor of the success and confidence of students in various fields of study.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a challenging new set of two-player (or multi-player) games of skill with increased levels of difficulty that greatly enhance the players' abilities to visualize in 3-D. The games can also be developed to be played electronically and on-line. The basic objective of the game components of the present invention is to adapt 2-D board game surfaces into 3-D cylindrical configurations. By bending a 2-D board game into 3-D and connecting it back onto itself, additional skills associated with 3-D visualization are required of the players. A variety of traditional 2-D board games are translated into 3-D cylindrical board game structures and methods. In its basic form, the game method of play involves two players alternately placing game pieces into apertures on the cylindrical game board. Although most of the games associated with the objective of the present invention are two-player games, a variety of multi-player games are also possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game components of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Mini (3×3) version of the game method of play.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game components of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Quad (4×4) version of the game method of play.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game components of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Penta (5×5) version of the game method of play.

FIGS. 4A-4D are elevational views of the game components used with the Quad game of the present invention showing the placement of game pieces in various winning configurations.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the game components of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Checkers/Chess (8×8) version of the game method of play.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the game components of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Go 3D Column (13×13) version of the game method of play.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the game components of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Go 3D Scroll (19×19) version of the game method of play.

FIGS. 8A & 8B are perspective view and a detailed end cap view of the game components of a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with the lids having flanges with ridges.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the game components of an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with spikes or prongs instead of holes and caps or rings instead of pegs.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the game components of a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with a non-circular cross section for the cylinder.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the game components of a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with a non-circular cross section for the cylinder and multiple spike/prong attachment points.

FIG. 12 is a perspective assembly view of an alternate manner of constructing the cylindrical component of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with multiple cylindrical sections attached together to form the cylinder component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The basic components of the game structure of the present invention are disclosed in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game components of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Mini (3×3) version 10 of the game method of play. The components include a hollow cylindrical tube 12 with an array of apertures 16 positioned through the walls of the tube. The otherwise open ends of the cylinder are covered by appropriately sized caps or lids 14. The game pieces 18 & 20 as shown are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 16 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 12. Every embodiment of the present invention, the descriptions of which follow, incorporate these basic concepts of a cylindrical game board with game pieces that are played by inserting the piece into an aperture in the cylindrical wall, as well as providing end caps that allow the game pieces to be stored within the cylindrical container formed by the 3-D game board.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game components of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Quad (4×4) version 30 of the game method of play. The components include a hollow cylindrical tube 32 with an array of apertures 36 positioned through the walls of the tube. The otherwise open ends of the cylinder are covered by appropriately sized caps or lids 34. The game pieces 38 & 40 as shown are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 36 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 32.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game components of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Penta (5×5) version 50 of the game method of play. The components include a hollow cylindrical tube 52 with an array of apertures 56 positioned through the walls of the tube. The otherwise open ends of the cylinder are covered by appropriately sized caps or lids 54. The game pieces 58 & 60 as shown are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 56 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 52.

FIGS. 4A-4D are elevational views of the game components used with the Quad game 30 of the present invention showing the placement of game pieces in various winning configurations. Once again, the components in the Quad version 30 include a hollow cylindrical tube 32 with an array of apertures 36 positioned through the walls of the tube. The game pieces 38 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4D are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 36 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 32. In the Quad (4×4) version 30 of the game method of play “winning” combinations may, for example, be any series of playing pieces 38 positioned in an adjacent line of apertures 36. It is preferable that some manner of indicia (“A”; “B”; “C”; and “D”) be present on the cylindrical tube to easily identify the column of apertures/pieces in view on the cylindrical game board. The bottom row of four apertures 36 shown in FIGS. 4A-4D each contain a game piece 38 to provide a “winning” four in a row. In a similar manner, column “B” (best seen in FIG. 4B) of four apertures 36 each contain a game piece 38 to provide a “winning” four in a line in a single column. A third manner of establishing four in a line may be seen across all four of FIGS. 4A-4D wherein: a playing piece 38 is positioned in the aperture 36 of the bottom row of column “A”, a playing piece 38 is positioned in the aperture 36 of the second from the bottom row of column “B”, a playing piece 38 is positioned in the aperture 36 of the second from the top row of column “C”, and a playing piece 38 is positioned in the aperture 36 of the top row of column “D”. Alternate game methods of play could utilize different requirements for establishing “winning” combinations or arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the game components of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Checkers/Chess (8×8) version 70 of the game method of play. The components include a hollow cylindrical tube 76 with an array of white square apertures 82 and interspersed black square aperture 84 positioned through the walls of the cylindrical tube 76. The ends of the cylinder 76 are covered by appropriately sized rotational support cradles 74. The support cradles 74 are fixed on base 72. The game pieces 78 & 80 as shown (light and dark colors) are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 82 & 84 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 76.

Some embodiments, such as the structures shown in FIGS. 6 & 7, may further include small separate cup containers with caps or lids into which the smaller game pieces may be stored with the closed cups themselves sized to be stored within the cylindrical game board structure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the game components of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Go 3D Column (13×13) vertical version 90 of the game method of play. The components include a vertical cylindrical tube 96 with an array of apertures 95 positioned through the walls of the tube. The otherwise open top end of the cylinder is covered by an appropriately sized cap or lid 94. The bottom end of the cylinder is supported by stand base 92. The game pieces 98 as shown are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece inserted securely into the apertures 95 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 96. Once again, small separate cup containers 91 & 93 with caps or lids into which the smaller game pieces may be stored with the closed cups themselves sized to be stored within the cylindrical game board structure 96.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the game components of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured for carrying out the Go 3D Scroll (19×19) horizontal version 100 of the game method of play. The components include a horizontal cylindrical tube 106 with an array of apertures 105 positioned through the walls of the tube. The otherwise open ends of the cylinder are covered by appropriately sized caps or lids 104, which in the embodiment shown also act as rotational cradle supports that allow the tube to be turned. The cradle supports are fixed on stand base 102. The game pieces 108 & 110 as shown are sized and structured to be easily manipulated by the players of the game and to have at least a portion of the game piece 103 (for example) inserted securely into the apertures 105 through the wall of the cylindrical game board 106. Once again, small separate cup containers with caps or lids into which the smaller game pieces may be stored with the closed cups themselves sized to be stored within the cylindrical game board structure 106.

Game Methods of Play—Each type of game is played similarly. The typical game starts with pegs taken out of the holding tube and each player chooses a color. Each player alternately places one peg in a hole. The winner (in the first three of the preferred embodiments described herein) is the player that puts the pegs in a full formation (column, level, or spiral). The players continue to play until all pegs are placed and one or two holes remain open. The players take turns and remove one of their pegs and place it in an open hole. Labeling of holes helps when creating problems (similar to the game of chess), study past games, and analyze various play strategies.

Basic Components:

One holding tube with two caps to close the tube and a specific number of red and blue pegs for each type of game.

Game Types:

Mini (3×3) game (see FIG. 1 for example): Four red pegs and four blue pegs.

Quad (4×4) game (see FIG. 2 for example): Seven red pegs and seven blue pegs.

Penta (5×5) game (see FIG. 3 for example): Twelve red pegs and twelve blue pegs.

Hexa (6×6) game (not shown): Seventeen red pegs and seventeen blue pegs.

The drawing figures appended hereto provide examples of the Mini, Quad, and Penta versions of the basic game method of play with a correspondingly larger number of game pieces for each version of the game. In addition, the cylindrical game boards shown in these basic versions include alpha numeric indicia that help the players identify and reference where the game pieces are being positioned and played.

Although not shown in the drawing figures, the Hexa game identified above with a (6×6) cylindrical game board provides a further example of the increased size of the game board and number of game pieces. Larger cylindrical game boards with a larger array of apertures are anticipated. The number of game pieces is determined such that there are an equal number of red pegs as blue pegs (or alternate colors as appropriate) and that full use of the game pieces will leave either one or two empty apertures in the cylindrical game board such that the game play may continue by way of the movement of a game piece from one aperture to another.

While FIGS. 4A-4D provide examples of various winning configurations of game pieces, alternate rules associated with alternate arrangements of game pieces are certainly anticipated. Groups of four game pieces positioned in a square configuration or a diamond configuration, for example, could serve as winning combinations. A variety of additional games that involve surrounding an opposing player's game piece and thereby causing its removal might also enjoy the benefits of the cylindrical game board structure of the present invention.

FIGS. 5-7 provide further, more complex, examples of traditional 2-D board games implemented onto the cylindrical game board structure of the present invention. As the number of apertures and game pieces increase, some accommodation is made to adjust the size of the cylindrical game board and the size of the individual game pieces so as to provide game pieces of a manageable size and number.

The game pieces themselves may be constructed of any of a variety of rigid or partially resilient materials such as resins, plastics, and other materials with similar rigidity and mass. Variations in size are also anticipated subject primarily to limitations associated with being easily handled by the players. The game pieces are preferably stored in the cylindrical game board itself but may also be stored in a separate container. The game apparatus may also contain one or more game piece holders (such as the cylindrical end cap cups shown in FIGS. 6 & 7) into which the players might place the game pieces to hold and access them during the play of the game.

FIGS. 8A & 8B are a perspective view and a detailed end cap view of the game components 120 of a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with the lids 124 having flanges with peripheral ridges as well as a concentric insert ring 125. In addition to serving as end caps for closing off or allowing access to the interior of the cylindrical component 122, the end caps 124 may preferably be structured with extended flanges to elevate the cylinder (and therefore the pegs attached to the cylinder) up off of the flat surface on which the game components are placed. The ridges on the edges provide relative stability, rolling across the surface only when directed to do so by a player. This structure allows the cylindrical game board 122 to roll over a surface without disturbing the either the pegs 128 in the apertures 126 on the cylinder 122 or the pegs 130 & 132 remaining on the flat surface.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the game components 140 of an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with spikes or prongs 146 instead of holes and caps 148 or rings instead of pegs. Providing essentially an inverse structure to that shown in the previous embodiments, the embodiment of FIG. 9 structures spikes or prongs 146 in an array on the cylindrical component 142 and uses miniature caps 148 (shown) or rings (not shown) instead of pegs as the playing pieces. As with previous embodiments, the end caps 144 used for closing off or allowing access to the interior of the cylindrical component 142, may preferably be structured with extended flanges to elevate the cylinder (and therefore the spikes/prongs 146 and caps/rings 148 on or attached to the cylinder 142) up off of the flat surface on which the game components are placed and any extra caps/rings 148 & 150 on the flat surface. Any of the above embodiments structured with holes and pegs may be alternately structured with spikes/prongs and caps/rings.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the game components 160 of a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with a non-circular cross section for the cylinder 162. In the embodiment shown the circular cross section cylinder is replaced with an octagonal (eight sided) cross section cylinder 162 with apertures 166 and similarly shaped end caps 164. Other cross sections may include triangular (three sided) for the “mini” version of the present invention, square (four sided) for the “Quad” version, pentagon (five sided) for the “Penta” version, and hexagon (six sided) for the “Hexa” version. The octagonal version shown in FIG. 10 lends itself well to the “chess” version of the invention. It should also be noted in reference to FIG. 10 that the end caps may be used for the placement of brand or advertising indicia.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the game components 170 of a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention structured with a non-circular cross section for the cylinder 172 and multiple spike/prong attachment points 176. The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 provides the structure of the octagonal cross section shown in FIG. 10 with multiple arrays of spikes/prongs in place of the holes on the cylinder. These spike/prong arrays match with playing pieces with attachable cap/ring arrays. Although two by two arrays are shown, any number of spikes/prongs may be used in the arrays.

FIG. 12 is a perspective assembly view of an alternate embodiment 180 having a cost-effective manner of constructing the cylindrical component 184 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with multiple cylindrical sections 182 attached together to form the cylinder component 184. Manufacturing costs associated with construction of the cylindrical component of the present invention may be address by assembling the cylindrical structure from multiple longitudinal cylinder sections as shown. These cylindrical sections may be snapped or clipped together with connectors 186 or may be chemically or thermally welded together. This technique for assembling the cylindrical elements of the present invention may be used with any of the above-described embodiments.

While the preferred embodiments of the construction of the game components herein have been presented as hollow tubes with apertures in various directions that serve to form the various positions on the game board, other means for providing the same visual impressions are anticipated. Other variations as to game component construction and game rules will be apparent to those skilled in the art of games and educational tools.

In addition to the hole/peg, spike/cap, prong/ring structures for placing a playing piece on the cylindrical “board”, other ways of removably attaching the playing pieces are contemplated, such as magnetic components or hook and loop surfaces.

The game device structures, and game methods of play also lend themselves to virtual reality and/or augmented reality embodiments. The important elements of the game and game methods of play involve the ability to visualize the game “board” in three dimensions. Such elements can be recreated digitally to allow the games to be played without a physical game cylinder or playing pieces. Computer animation techniques can be applied to the devices and methods of the present invention to allow for their implementation in a digital environment. 

We claim:
 1. A game apparatus configured as a two-dimensional game board curved into three-dimensions to provide an additional visual challenge to game players beyond a conventional two-dimensional game method of play, the game apparatus comprising: a longitudinal cylindrical structure having a length, diameter, external surface and a central axis, the cylindrical structure defining an array of apertures, generally arranged on the external surface in columns parallel to the central axis and rows in planes orthogonal to the central axis; and a plurality of playing pieces structured to be handled by the game players and to be partially inserted into the apertures of the aperture array.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising end caps positioned on the ends of the longitudinal cylindrical structure to facilitate handling of the structure.
 3. The game apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical structure is hollow and comprises a cylindrical wall and wherein the end caps are removable from the ends of the cylindrical structure to alternately close off and open the hollow interior of the cylindrical structure.
 4. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of playing pieces comprise at least two sets of contrasting color playing pieces. 